Lieutenant Governor of Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lieutenant Governor of Washington |
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| Style | The Honorable |
| Term length | 4 years, no term limits |
| Inaugural holder | Charles E. Laughton |
| Formation | November 11, 1889 |
| Succession | First |
| Salary | $117,300 (2020) |
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The lieutenant governor of Washington is an important elected leader in the U.S. state of Washington. Think of them as the state's second-in-command! The person holding this job right now is Denny Heck, who is a member of the Democratic Party. He started his term in January 2021.
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What Does a Lieutenant Governor Do?
The lieutenant governor has several key jobs that help Washington state run smoothly.
Leading the State Senate
One of their main roles is to be the president of the Washington State Senate. The Senate is a group of elected officials who make laws for the state. As president, the lieutenant governor leads their meetings, helps keep order, and makes sure the rules are followed. They also get to vote if there's a tie, which is pretty powerful!
Filling in for the Governor
The lieutenant governor also steps in as acting governor whenever the main governor leaves the state or can't do their job for a short time. This means they temporarily take on all the governor's duties. It's like being the substitute teacher for the whole state!
Taking Over as Governor
If something happens and the governor can no longer serve – for example, if they resign or pass away – the lieutenant governor then becomes the new governor. This is a very important part of their job, making sure the state always has a leader.
A Look at History
The office of lieutenant governor in Washington began on November 11, 1889, when Washington officially became a state. Since then, 17 different people have held this position. It's interesting to note that three of these lieutenant governors later became the actual governor of Washington. This shows how important this role can be as a stepping stone to the state's top job.
Before Washington became a state, there were "territorial secretaries of state." These officials would fill in for the territorial governor if they were absent. However, they couldn't become governor permanently like the lieutenant governors can today.
Political Parties of Lieutenant Governors
Over the years, lieutenant governors have come from different political parties. Here's a quick look at the main parties they've belonged to: Democratic (5) Populist (1) Republican (11)
Images for kids
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Charles E. Laughton was the first Lieutenant Governor of Washington.
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F. H. Luce
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Thurston Daniels
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Henry McBride became governor after Governor Rogers passed away.
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Charles E. Coon
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Marion E. Hay became governor after Governor Cosgrove passed away.
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Louis Folwell Hart became governor after Governor Lister resigned.
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William J. Coyle
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W. Lon Johnson
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John Arthur Gellatly
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Victor A. Meyers served for many years as Lieutenant Governor.
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Emmett Anderson
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John A. Cherberg served as Lieutenant Governor for over 30 years.
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Joel Pritchard
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Brad Owen
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Cyrus Habib
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Denny Heck is the current Lieutenant Governor of Washington.
